To date, eight human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected
-- Four in Mercer County, two in Burlington and one each in Hudson and
Cape May counties.

More crows and mosquitoes have tested positive for the presence of
WNV.

Human Testing

In total, 127 residents have been approved for WNV testing this season.
Blood and/or spinal fluid samples from these individuals are in the
process of being tested for the presence of WNV. These individuals either
had symptoms or signs that met the established WNV testing criteria
or exhibited most of the symptoms and are from counties where dead crows
and/or mosquitoes with the virus have been discovered.

To date, 48 are negative, 71 tests on people are pending and 8 positive.

Human testing for WNV is being conducted at the New Jersey Department
of Health and Senior Services' Public Health and Environmental Laboratory
in Trenton and at public health labs in other states. Testing results
are sent to the CDC for confirmation.

The department has also received 468 bird samples (mostly crows) deemed
unsatisfactory for testing and has been notified of 1289 dead or ill
birds (mostly crows) not submitted for testing due to their condition.

Equine testing is conducted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's
animal health laboratory in Trenton and positive results are sent to
the National Veterinary Services Lab (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for confirmation.
For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture website at
www.state.nj.us/agriculture.

Additional Information & Advisories

The risk of WNV infection continues during the fall and people should
take steps now to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas around their homes
and protect themselves and their families from infection.

Among the personal precautions residents can take now are such measures
as eliminating standing water on their own property (such as clearing
clogged gutters, draining flower pots, recycling old car tires, etc.),
and repairing window and door screens. In the spring, summer, and fall
residents can spray insect repellent on their clothing and exposed skin
in accordance with labeling directions, wear long sleeved shirts and
pants when outdoors, or curb outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and during
the evening.

The West Nile virus, an arboviral disease, is transmitted through
the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an
infected bird. WNV is not directly transmitted from birds to humans.
WNV infection generally causes no symptoms or just mild, flu-like symptoms;
however, the elderly are at higher risk of more severe disease.

Between 1999 and 2001, lab testing confirmed WNV infection in 18
New Jersey residents, with two resulting fatalities. The virus has also
been detected in mosquitoes, horses, or crows and other birds in every
county in New Jersey.

New Jersey's WNV surveillance, control and prevention activities
involve the coordinated efforts of a number of federal, state and local
agencies. These include the New Jersey Departments of Health and Senior
Services, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture, the CDC, the State
Mosquito Control Commission, the Rutgers Mosquito Research and Control
Unit, and local health and mosquito control agencies.